By Chelsey St-Pierre
The Suburban

Baie D’Urfé resident Oana Silagui-Bedikyan hosted the town’s annual Truth and Reconciliation event for kids and tots in the park last week.

Children, along with their families, were invited to share pizza and snacks, served up by Oana’s husband — Aksel Bedikyan. Then they were invited to gather round on thick blankets laid on the grass to listen to Silagui read a Native publication created by Elder Albert D. Marshall Mi’Kmaq, spiritual leader from the Moose Clan, Louise Zimanyi, and illustrator Emily Kewageshig-Anishnaabe from the Saugeen First Nation.

The idea is to build the same kind of community gathering that the Aboriginal soul represents, getting together and sharing stories in nature. Story-telling is the original medicine passed along to generations. In nature, we find the fundamental building blocks for children,” Silagui-Bedikyan told The Suburban.

The event took place at the lake front park across the street from the Town’s library. Kids enjoyed playtime in the park following the book reading. Many challenged each other to tree climbing competitions while others practiced skipping rocks on St-Louis lake. “They had the opportunity to experience the words in the book,” Silagui-Bedikyan explained. “Many people write to me after the event, feeling appreciative of just being able to sit down and listen to a gentle story that their kids can process and understand.”

Baie D’Urfé Mayor Heidi Ekdvedt attends the event annually. “It is so wonderful to see our community gather and we are grateful for these grassroots initiatives,” Ekdvedt told The Suburban. “We are a small town, filled with great people.” n